Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
LANGUAGES
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
REFERENCES
Timeline
Generic
ZAINAB ALQAIDOOM

ZAINAB ALQAIDOOM

Summary

UK law graduate holding a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Salford and an LPC with a Master's in Law, Business, and Management from the University of Law. Licensed as a trainee lawyer with the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs in Bahrain after passing the Shari'a exam. Experienced in corporate and commercial law, specializing in drafting and reviewing contracts, managing legal cases, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and legal due diligence. Skilled in handling legal transactions, corporate structuring, and cross-border legal matters, with experience providing legal support across the banking, energy, commercial and investment sectors. Proficient in navigating legal databases such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, and EUR-Lex, and experienced in litigation support and dispute resolution. Enthusiastic, hardworking, and eager to take on challenges, whether leading a team or collaborating as part of one. Committed to staying updated on evolving regulations to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience

Work History

Legal Counsel / Board Secretary

Mena Industrial Bank B.S.C (C)
05.2025 - Current
  • Joined during the bank’s formation phase and contributed to foundational legal and regulatory processes.
  • Drafted employment contracts and submitted “Approved Persons” applications to the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB); served as primary contact for CBB-related communications.
  • Supported external legal counsel in registering the bank with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) and the General Organisation for Social Insurance (GOSI).
  • Assisted in preparing and submitting VAT registration documents.
  • Administered directors’ appointments, processed annual CR renewals, and coordinated timely filings with government authorities to ensure seamless corporate compliance
  • Served as the main liaison between the Board of Directors and executive management, ensuring timely communication and governance compliance.
  • Organized and documented board and committee meetings; ensured accuracy and timely circulation of minutes.
  • Drafted and reviewed a wide range of legal documents, including letters of intents (LOI), NDAs, engagement letters, and master agreements.
  • Collaborated with an external consultant to draft and implement comprehensive banking policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements.
  • Supported finance and operations by preparing payment requests, transferring funds between accounts, and handling payment transactions.

Legal Counsel

Mercantile & Maritime Group
11.2022 - 04.2025
  • Drafted and reviewed contracts related to the sale and purchase of oil and gas, utilizing Incoterms and BP Oil International Limited General Terms and Conditions.
  • Prepared consignment documents and agreements including but not limited to spot sale contracts, letter of intents, loan agreements, addendum's, memorandum of understanding, mutual termination agreements, NDA's, power of attorney, board and shareholder resolutions, and corporate governance polices.
  • Drafted employment contracts, registered employees with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), and obtained work permits.
  • Assisted in setting up legal entities in Bahrain, including reviewing and amending constitutional documents and liaising wit authorities such as the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Directorate of Municipal Affairs.
  • Assisted in transferring shares in UAE and issuing power of attorneys for use in the UAE.
  • Conducted KYC and due diligence on third parties, screened third parties and performed background verification of individuals, entities and vessels using platforms such as World Check, Diligent, Refinitiv, and Lloyd's.
  • Managed all administrative and legal operations for the company in Bahrain, including renewing the Commercial Registration, appointing new directors, updating company address via Sijilat, submitting requests to remove MOICT‑recorded commercial violations through the Sijilat system, and coordinating with government entities such as MOICT, Bahrain Municipality, and Electricity & Water Authority to ensure compliance and seamless processing.
  • Obtained certified true copies of the companies corporate documents and arranged for attestation, certification or apostille as required.
  • Arranged and renewed Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance policies annually for our project companies, overseeing applications, coordinating with local brokers, and ensuring timely renewal to protect directors and key managers against financial and legal liability.

Legal Associate

Venture Capital Bank B.S.C (C)
09.2020 - 11.2022
  • Drafted and reviewed various legal documents and agreements including but not limited to NDA's, SPA's, deeds of termination, fee agreement letters, director appointment agreements, employment contracts, while maintaining all legal records.
  • Assisted with updating internal policies and drafting Private Placement Memorandums.
  • Managed all the bank's legal cases, and worked closely with external lawyers,assisting in case preparation for cases and hearings. Actively participated in all stages of the litigation cycle, gathered information, conducted legal research,and reviewed statements of claim and defense to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all data.
  • Conducted extensive research using legal databases such as LexisNexis,Westlaw, and EUR-Lex.
    Prepared legal documents for real estate transactions.
  • Managed the transfer of plot ownerships by submitting and registering documents with the Survey and Land Registration Bureau (SLRB).
  • Collaborated with attorneys, buyers, and third parties to exit an oil and gas project and complete sale of shares, by drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and related transaction agreements such as letter of intent, share purchase agreement, board and shareholder resolutions, while handling government filings and requests.
  • Assisted with the sale a food and beverage project, by reviewing and drafting transactional documents, preparing closing binders, and handling post-closing matters.
    Assisted in legal and commercial settlements of disputes
    Researched laws and regulations, staying updated with current regulatory developments.
  • Provided legal support to all departments of the bank.

Legal Trainee

A.Hadi Al Qaidoom Attorneys & Legal Consultants
05.2020 - 09.2020
  • Drafted various legal documents, such as legal notices, engagements letters,and settlement agreements.
  • Conducted legal research to assist in drafting legal opinions.
  • Compiled reports summarizing findings and recommendations.
  • Attended court hearings and client conferences with lawyers and experts.
  • Translated legal documents between Arabic and English.

Internship

Central Informatics Organization
02.2013 - 03.2013

Education

Legal Practice Course - MSc: Law, Business And Management

The University of Law
03-2020

LLB (Hons) - Bachelors of Laws

The University of Salford
07-2018

International Foundation Year Program - Humanities

INTO Manchester
07-2015

High School Certificate - Commercial Studies

Al Noor Secondary Girls School
06-2014

Skills

  • Resilient under pressure, with strong problem-solving and analytical skills
  • Commercially aware, with a keen understanding of legal and business implications
  • Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), with experience drafting legal documents and working with clients, legal teams, and regulatory authorities
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

LANGUAGES

Fluent in Arabic
Fluent in English

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Football player at Bahrain Women's National Football Team, 2009 - 2014

REFERENCES

Available upon request.

Timeline

Legal Counsel / Board Secretary

Mena Industrial Bank B.S.C (C)
05.2025 - Current

Legal Counsel

Mercantile & Maritime Group
11.2022 - 04.2025

Legal Associate

Venture Capital Bank B.S.C (C)
09.2020 - 11.2022

Legal Trainee

A.Hadi Al Qaidoom Attorneys & Legal Consultants
05.2020 - 09.2020

Internship

Central Informatics Organization
02.2013 - 03.2013

Legal Practice Course - MSc: Law, Business And Management

The University of Law

LLB (Hons) - Bachelors of Laws

The University of Salford

International Foundation Year Program - Humanities

INTO Manchester

High School Certificate - Commercial Studies

Al Noor Secondary Girls School

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ZAINAB ALQAIDOOM